Garment bag systems and methods of use

Abstract

The present invention includes methods and apparatus in which a reusable bag is provided for the collection and return of soiled garments, laundry and / or other clothing items. The bag may be provided in the form of a hamper that is open at the top, with one or more hooks that allow the bag to be hung from a clothing rod, and is provided with engagement devices that allow the bag to be folded up when not in use, and then unfolded to various levels for containment and protection of clean items that have been hung on standard hangers. In some embodiments, garment protection flaps and a detachable accessory bag are provided inside the bag. In other embodiments, convenient handles are provided as part of the hangers which support the bags, the handles being positioned to balance the bag when it is being carried to avoid spilling the contents thereof, the bags having special flaps for engaging the hangers having the handles.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM[0001]This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Utility Patent Application No. 13 / 688,183 filed on Nov. 28, 2012, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Utility Patent Application No. 13 / 041,625 filed on Mar. 7, 2011, which was a continuation-in-part of U.S. Utility Patent Application No. 12 / 703,673 filed on Feb. 10, 2010, which was a continuation in part of and claimed the benefit of U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 386,118 filed on Feb. 24, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. D651404, which was a continuation-in-part of, and claimed the benefit of U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 355,347 filed on Feb. 5, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. D637396, and which was a continuation-in-part of, and claimed the benefit of U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 355,588 filed on Feb. 10, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. D633715, all of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by this reference.[0002]This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 477,650 filed ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]The present invention includes methods and apparatus in which a first reusable bag is provided for the collection of soiled garments, laundry and / or other clothing items, and a second (and sometimes a third) reusable bag is provided for the return of these items after they have been cleaned. In some embodiments of the invention, the first bag is provided in the form of a hamper that is open at the top, and has one or more hooks that allow the bag to be hung from a clothing rod, such as those found in a closet. One or more handles may also be provided on the first bag, or on a stand-alone bag, to facilitate easy transport. In some embodiments, these handles may be provided in a form that is easily gripped by hand, and may be formed as part of a hanger that is incorporated into the first bag or stand-alone bag.

Problems solved by technology

The use of polypropylene bags in the laundry / dry cleaning industry is wasteful in that they are made from scarce petroleum resources, and they are almost immediately discarded following return of the cleaned garments to the customer.

In addition, large polypropylene sheets and bags pose a suffocation hazard to small children.

Images